Given its difficulty meeting current demand, the national regulated utility Electrogaz has little incentive to develop additional rural demand. Its priority must be meeting current urban and industrial needs at reasonable costs. In addition, the management of rural grids requires flexibility and community involvement. SOGEMR Sarl., a small, locally run enterprise, has been working in cooperation with Shyira Hospital to foster its mission of service to the surrounding community by developing local sites for hydroelectric power production. This corporate entity is set to be transformed into AMAHORO ENERGY S.A. in order to facilitate management and allow increased local participation by small investors.

Most of the sites to be considered at present are in the Mukungwa River Valley, including its tributaries, just south of Ruhengeri. Because of good rainfall and steep topography, the sites available even in this small region could produce up to 20 MW hydroelectric power.